River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-12-08

otto disregard OF such local and selfish claims n
are unreasonable and reckless Of the welfare
OF the entire country.
Under the present laws more than four thou
sand articles are subject 10 duty. Many OF
manufactures, and many are hardly worth at
tention as subjects OF revenue. A considerable
reduction can be made IN the aggregate by ad.
ding them TO the free list. The taxation
Of Injuries presents no features OF hardship;
but the necessarfes OF life used and consumed
by all the people, the duty upon which adds 70
me cost o. living IN every home, should be
The radical reduction Of the duties Imposed
upon raw.materisl used in manufactures, or its
free importation, is Of course an important
factor in any effort 10 reduce the price OF these
necessaries; 10 would not only relieve them
from the increased cost caused by the tRrin
on such material. but the manufactured
product being thus cheapened- that part
OF the tariff now laid upon such prod
uct as compensation 10 our manu-
features for the present price OF raw material
could be accordingly modified. Such reduction.
or free importation, would serve beside 10 large
~ reduce the revenue. II is not apparent how
such change can have any injurious effect
upon our manufactures. On the contrary, IL
would appear 10 give them better chance in
foreign markets with the manufacturers OF 9TH
er countries who cheaper their wares by free
material Thus our people might have the Op-
portunity OF extending their sales beyond the
limits OF home consumption, saving them from
the depression interruption IN business aud
loss caused by glutted domestic market and
alording their employees more certain and
tentment.
The question thus imperatively presented for
solution should be approached in spirit higher
than partisanship, and considered in the light
OF that regard for patriotic duty which should
characterize the action Of those intrusted
with the veal OF a conflding people But
the obligation TO declared party policy and
principal is not wanting 20 urge prompt and ef.
fective action. Both OF the great political par.
ties now represented in the Government have.
oy repeated and authoritative declarations,
condemned the condition OF our laws which per-
NIT the collection from the people Of unneces-
sary revenue, and have, in the most solemn
manner, promised its correction; and neither
as citizens or partisans are our countrymeu IN
mood 10 condone the deliberate violation OF
these pledges.
Our progress toward a wise conclusion will
not be improved by dwelling upon the theories
OF protection and free trade. This savOrs too
much OF bandying epithets II is a con.
ditioa which confronts us not a theory
Relief from this condition may involve
slight reduction OF the advantages
but the entire withdrawal OF such ADVANTAGE
should not be contemplated. The question of
free trade is absolutely irrelevant: and the Fer.
sistent claim made in certain quarters, that all
Efforts 10 relieve the people from unjust and IN
necessary taxation are schemes OF so-called
free-traders. is mischievous and far removed
from any consideration the for public good
The simple and plain duty which We owe the
people IS 10 reduce taxation 70 the necessary ex-
penses Of an economical operation OF the Gov
eminent, and TO restore 10 the business OF the
country the money which we hold in the treas
ury, through the perverson of governmental
powers These things can and should be done
with safety 70 all our Industries, without danger
10 the opportunity for remuneratiye labor
which our working-men need, and with benefit
10 them and all our people, by cheapening their
means OF subs stence and increasing the meas.
ure of their comforts.
The constitution provides that the President
shall from time 10 time give TO the Congress
information of the state OF the Union" II has
been the custom of the Executive, in compliance
with this provision. 70 annually exhibit TO the
Z q n Of fFa
eral condition OF the country, and 20 detail with
some partcularity, the operations OF the
be especially agreeable 10 follow this
course at the present time, and 70
call attention 70 the valuable accomplish.
ments OF these departments during the last
fiscal year But am so much impressed with
the paramount importance Of the subject 70
which this communication has thus far been
devoted, that shall forego the add ton OF any
other topic, and only urge upon your immediate
consideration the state of the Union as
shown in the present condition of our Treasury
and our general fiscal situation, upon which
every element of our safety and prosperity de
ponds.
The reports OF the heads OF departments
which will be submitted, contain full and ex-
piicit Information touching the transaction Of
the business intrusted TO them, and such recon-
mendations relating to legislation in the public
interests as they deem advisable. / ask for
these reports and recommendations the DELHI
crate examination and action of the legislative
branch OF the Government
There are other subjects not embraced in the
departmental reports demanding legislative
consideration and which l should be glad 10
submit. Some OF them, however, have been
earnestly presented IN previous messages. and
as to them beg leave 10 repeat prior recon-
mendatlons
As the law makes no provision for any report
from the Department OF State, {. brief history
OF the transactions Of that important depart
ment, together " IN other matters which il NAV
hereafter be deemed essential to commend 70
the attention OF the Congress, may furnish the
occasion for future communication.
GROVER CLEVELAND,
WAsHINGTON. December G 1887